November 23, 2017

As part of our commitment to developing our membership, we would like to make you aware of new resources, policy and development opportunities to support employees in a management position at Essex. The following are designed to support employees new to management, both generally and at Essex, whilst also providing opportunities to stretch managers in specific areas of their management practice.

Contains advice and guidance in a range of formats to support those in management positions. Resources range from ‘quick guides’ to approach people-related challenges, an interactive tool showing different approaches for development at work and the University’s expectations of a manager.

This new policy clarifies the Essential Training that all employees are expected to complete within the first 6 months of employment, whilst all existing employees are expected to complete the Essential Training relevant to their role. All Essential Training can be accessed on the recently developed Welcome to Essex induction moodle resource.

The Welcome to Essex induction resource has been developed to complement local induction so that new employees can settle into their role as effectively as possible. It contains an induction checklist for new employees and for managers to support the new employees and their recruiting manager.

Audience: Managers with 3 or more years of experience (particularly recommended for colleagues with roles in departmental leadership teams)

Duration: 1 ½ days

Content: The course provides opportunities in a safe environment for managers to reflect on their leadership and management styles, using a combination or 360-degree feedback, facilitated feedback from observers and peers, self-reflection and coaching.

Content: The workshop uses a psychometric assessment tool (TKI) to provide participants with the opportunity to understand how they approach conflict situations and how to achieve positive outcomes individually and within teams.

Content: This ‘bitesize’ interactive and informative workshop is intended for managers and senior staff and has been designed to help you develop a strategy that works for you when entering into a difficult conversation. This workshop will provide you with the tools and practice to help you to deliver positive and constructive messages.

Content: This session will brief you on the University’s approach to appraisal and how you can use this most effectively to support the development and enhance the performance of those you are responsible for.The session will provide an opportunity to develop and practice your coaching skills, which will enable you to get the most from appraisal discussions.

Content: Being assertive can make a huge difference to the way you feel about yourself and the way in which other people see you. It can improve the quality of your relationships with colleagues, family and friends as it demonstrates that you have confidence in yourself and respect for others. This course will show you, through discussion and practical exercises, strategies that you can use in your everyday life.

We hope that you find these opportunities useful. If you have any questions or suggestions in relation to these opportunities and resources, please email ldev@essex.ac.uk.